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This simple advertisement is a good example of how much work goes into each and every image. Most people would look at this and think that there were maybe 4 people in the room: the photographer, assistant, boy and dad. In short, it took an army: 2 food stylists, prop stylist and prop stylist assistant, wardrobe stylist (yours truly), a whole bunch of photo assistants, and of course, New York based photographer Con Poulos. There were also three little boys on deck in case one of them had a melt down, and sure enough, the #1 choice for the little boy did. The lesson to be learned is that it often takes a small army to get it right the first time around.

It’s not everyday you get the opportunity to work with a photographer as admired as Martin Schoeller. When I got the initial phone call saying I was being considered to work with him, I jumped up and down. Then, when I got the phone call saying that he wanted to work with me, I did a celebratory sprint in my apartment, which was more like a shuttle run do to its tiny size. Martin Schoeller?! Martin Schoeller!!! If you’re not familiar with his work, here’s a little sampling.

And the controversial Time cover:

Here’s the Advil advertisement I did the wardrobe styling on. I’m sure you’re asking yourself, “But there’s no wardrobe?” Not true my friends. Behind that hint of a cardigan, blur of a necklace and hip mom glasses, there was a full rack of different tops for the mom, AND the kid’s hands, as well as a table of glasses and accessories. Here’s the thing, you never know where the crop is going to be and how much you will see, and I rather die than let Mr. Schoeller down. It doesn’t look like much, but that doesn’t bring down my excitement. A big THANK YOU to everyone who let me be in the same room as him.

I realize my timing of this post may not be the best. Therefore, I would like to start by saying that I wish the tables had turned in a more favorable direction for the Bulls in this post season, and I’m sorry for their loss due to the team’s injuries. After turning off the game, it inspired me to find the Nike commercial I wardrobe styled of Luol Deng last December because I hadn’t seen it yet. Um, yeah… it’s amazing. I’m so excited to have been part of the massive crew that made this happen.

If my mom told me driving home from my fourth session of basketball camp in the summer of 1993 that I would someday dress a Bulls player for a Nike commercial, I would have never taken down my Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen posters I got from the book fair. At the time, I was pretty sure that I would someday be surrounded by fellow players that could dunk, but it would be from my basketball merits, not from my ability to source an ungodly amount of Nike merchandise in less than 24 hours. Either way, this commercial makes me smile ear to ear. It fulfills a dream. It’s a different dream that includes a lint roller, but still… I’m honored to be able to stand next to such an amazing athlete under any circumstance. Go. Team. Wardrobe.

This was without a doubt, one of my favorite projects I’ve ever done. I knew it was going to be good when the producer told me the agency requested me because of my, “Quirky Wes Anderson style.” Pinch me. So off I went to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to create a 10 look style guide for Haggar’s new Life Khaki clothing line.

Being in a new city with only 2 days to pull for 10 looks and props without an assistant was a little bit daunting, but the job ended up being one of those wonders where it was 100% hiccup free. I also had one of the best creative teams from the ad agency by my side to create the cardboard cutouts you see in each shot. There was a lot of blood and sweat, but tears were replaced with cheese steak whiz, and we all ended up with something we could be proud of.

And I had no part in it, but I did style the cute girl sitting on the top of this pile of fabric goodness.

If you’re wondering who did this colossal masterpiece of squishy fabric, you’ll have to thank the prop crew for the Land of Nod Spring catalog. The prop team consists of Dane Holweger from LA, and Chicago locals, Melissa Elias and Justin Vandenberg. You’d be surprised how to tough it is to stack that many unmade beds and make it look that inviting.

As for the doll sitting at the top, her outfit came from a scary expensive to destroy Anthropologie nightgown, which I cut the sleeves off. I then sliced my personal polka dot scarf that I got at Walgreens 8 years ago into strips to adorn the sleeves.

Here’s a couple of other highlights of the wardrobe I did for the Land of Nod Spring catalog.

The length of every wardrobe stylist’s day could be cut a little shorter with these online shoe sources. If you can’t find what you’re looking for online, well, you’re probably not going to find it at DSW, Nordstroms, Bloomingdales, etc., especially kids shoes where if you like the style, it’s almost a guarantee they won’t have the size you need. Do yourself a favor, and the nice man who looks at you very perplexed when you say you don’t want to try on the 10 different styles of men’s hiking boots you just picked out, order online.

Here are the fastest, most reliable, and quickest to refund your credit cards post return. Coincidentally, they also have the largest inventory.

Endless – Good for men, women, and kids. Have a trendier selection than Zappos or Shoes.com. Always comes the next day.

Zappos -They have the largest inventory, are the most reliable, and are the fastest at refunding your credit card post returns. They are the best at basics, but I would look elsewhere if you want to get all crazy in style. I also buy a lot of wardrobe from them as well, their kid inventory is better than their adult.

Shoes – Usually comes in 2 days. A lesser version of the above two mentioned, but still good to know about.

Piperlime – Usually comes in 2 days. This is the trendiest of all the websites listed, but has the smallest selection. I’ll order from them if I get sizes well before the shoot day. They only offer apparel for men and women, not kids, but have children’s shoes. Tim Gunn and Rachel Zoe approved.

Between these four websites you should have your needs covered for 95% of advertising shoots.

This was a collaboration I did with photographer Jacob Hand a couple of months ago. Testing is always interesting because sometimes the pieces come together easy, and other times it takes a little bit of muscle. Thanks to Kate Levinson Locations, we landed this amazing home, I mean jaw dropping amazing, in Bucktown. Thanks to Zsofia Otvos with her hair and make up skills, we were able to do the models up right and proud, and thanks to me, I was able to blast the hopes of any color out of the wardrobe. That was my plan, man. This test for me, was an attempt to create more “normal” images or LIFESTYLE (all CAPS because I can only yell that word in a mocking tone.) Since I’m a self-proclaimed color junky, I decided to challenge myself while keeping the overall aesthetic cohesive in only selecting wardrobe void of any hues. With a couple of models not showing up or being more than an hour late, Jacob Hand, the lighting sorcerer, was able to role with the never surprising testing punches, and create some photography magic. Lastly, a BIG thanks to Jacob for making it all happen and giving the crew something they can be proud to walk away with.

I don’t know how I feel about making really good-looking people look completely ridiculous. Wait, yes I do, it may be my favorite pastime. This was done as a pitch for a project. All it took was one swift swoop at the thrift store to find the wardrobe gems seen above. What makes these images so despicably delightful is the AMAZING models above who turned full swing into character. I was also part of the series as a nerdy bohemian small town art teacher, but I’ll spare you from uncomfortable repulsion on how bad I made my very own self look.

This is a great example of keeping it simple with a strong message. The photographer, Thomas Chadwick, really kicked this concept up a notch to make an eye catching manbabe. On my end, this was an easy one to style. I spent time sifting through thrift store t-shirts looking for the best selection of abusive guy tees I could find. We didn’t want to hit you over the head with a A shirt or mesh tank. This is a little more subtle way of implying the stereotype. The shirts, even though used, were also aged with tea bags and sanded with a pumice stone. Throw in a fake tattoo and prepare to be intimidated by a baby.

New SOCCER images I styled with the great, Thomas Chadwick. I really love these and want to give a big thanks to Thom for asking me to be part of it. If you’re wondering where you can find incredibly good looking people playing soccer in alleys, well, the secret is ours!